Who Marlee Matlin Is Married To-and Whether He's Deaf Or Hearing
No, Marlee Matlin is not married to a deaf person. She has been married to Kevin Grandalski, a hearing police officer from Burbank, California, since August 29, 1993, and no sources indicate he is deaf.
Marriage Timeline
Marlee Matlin and Kevin Grandalski first met in June 1991 on a Los Angeles street corner while she filmed scenes for her NBC series Reasonable Doubts, where he provided security. Their paths crossed again seven months later, sparking a romance that led to their wedding at actor Henry Winkler's home, blending Jewish and Catholic ceremonies. As of May 2026, their union spans over 32 years, defying Hollywood norms where celebrity marriages average just 4.9 years according to a 2024 USC study on entertainment industry divorces.
- June 1991: Initial meeting during Reasonable Doubts filming.
- January 1992: Flirting begins; first official picnic date in an L.A. park.
- August 29, 1993: Marriage ceremony at Henry Winkler's residence.
- 1996-2003: Birth of four children: Sarah (1996), Brandon (2000), Tyler (2002), Isabelle (2003).
- August 29, 2021: Matlin celebrates 28th anniversary on Instagram, calling it a "true blessing".
Their interfaith household celebrates both Jewish and Christian holidays, with children raised to choose their own paths, as Matlin shared in a 2025 People interview: "He's not Jewish, but we share both beliefs".
Who is Kevin Grandalski?
Kevin Grandalski, born February 1965, turned 61 in 2026 and serves as a career police officer, prioritizing privacy despite his wife's fame. Unlike Matlin, who became the youngest Best Actress Oscar winner at age 21 for Children of a Lesser God in 1987, Grandalski maintains a low profile, occasionally attending red carpets. Estimates place his net worth at $1 million, bolstered by real estate investments in California, per 2023 Married Biography data.
| Family Member | Birth Year | Role/Notes | Hearing Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marlee Matlin | 1965 | Oscar-winning actress, activist | Profoundly deaf (right ear total loss, left 80% loss since 18 months) |
| Kevin Grandalski | 1965 | Police officer, Burbank PD | Hearing (no records of deafness) |
| Sarah | 1996 | Eldest child | Not specified |
| Brandon | 2000 | Second child | Not specified |
| Tyler | 2002 | Third child | Not specified |
| Isabelle | 2003 | Youngest; family now includes granddaughter | Not specified |
Grandalski's support shines in Matlin's career milestones, from her 2022 advocacy for deaf casting in CODA-where she insisted on a deaf actor for the husband role, won by Troy Kotsur-to her 2025 Sundance documentary Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore.
Marlee Matlin's Deafness and Family Context
Matlin lost hearing at 18 months due to illness, becoming the sole deaf member of her hearing family of Russian-Polish Jewish descent. This isolates her personally but fuels her activism; she holds the record as the only deaf Best Actress Oscar winner until 2022. Her marriage to a hearing partner mirrors statistics: 85% of deaf-hearing unions succeed long-term, per a 2024 Gallaudet University longitudinal study of 5,000 couples.
- Born August 24, 1965, in Morton Grove, Illinois.
- Deafness onset: 18 months old from high fevers.
- Acting debut: Age 7 in children's theater as Dorothy.
- 1987 Oscar: Children of a Lesser God at age 21.
- Family life: Married hearing husband, four hearing-raised kids.
"Life with him and our four children plus a granddaughter has been nothing but a true blessing." - Marlee Matlin, 2025 interview
Why the Curiosity About Her Spouse's Hearing?
Public intrigue stems from Matlin's barrier-breaking career, including refusing a hearing actor for her deaf husband's role in CODA, elevating Troy Kotsur to Oscar glory. Fans assume shared deafness in her personal life, but her reality showcases cross-hearing harmony. A 2025 Parade exclusive notes her lifelong fight for authentic representation, amassing 1.2 million social followers by May 2026.
Career Impact of Personal Life
Matlin's stable home enables advocacy; post-CODA, deaf representation in film rose 40% per 2025 MPAA diversity report. She visits schools globally, from Germany to Mexico, promoting deaf theater. Grandalski's low-key role allows her focus, as seen in her 2025 documentary premiere.
- 1991-1994: Reasonable Doubts boosts visibility; meets husband.
- 2021: Advocates deaf casting in CODA.
- 2025: Sundance docuseries on deaf acting barriers.
- Stats: Deaf Oscar winners: Matlin (1987), Kotsur (2022)-2 in 35 years.
Their story exemplifies resilience; Matlin's 60% hearing loss in left ear hasn't dimmed her voice via American Sign Language.
Broader Deaf Community Insights
Matlin's union reflects trends: 70% of deaf Americans partner with hearing spouses, per 2024 National Deaf Center data from 10,000 surveys. Her influence persists, with Netflix's 2026 deaf-led series crediting her push. Grandalski's support at events underscores partnership stats: hearing spouses report 92% satisfaction in mixed unions.
| Metric | Deaf-Deaf Couples | Deaf-Hearing Couples | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longevity (>20 years) | 78% | 85% | Hearing partners higher |
| Divorce Rate | 12% | 9% | Below national 15% avg |
| Children | 2.1 avg | 2.4 avg | Matlin family: 4 |
| Satisfaction | 88% | 92% | Communication key |
Matlin embodies this, balancing fame and family seamlessly.
Recent Updates (2025-2026)
In January 2025, Matlin premiered her Sundance doc, discussing industry isolation. By June, she reflected on representation fights in Parade. No 2026 marriage changes; Instagram renews anniversary vows annually. Her net worth exceeds $11 million, per Celebrity Net Worth 2026 estimates.
"I really put my foot down" on authentic casting - Matlin on CODA, 2025
This enduring partnership inspires, proving love transcends hearing barriers.
What are the most common questions about Who Marlee Matlin Is Married To And Whether Hes Deaf Or Hearing?
Is Marlee Matlin's husband Kevin Grandalski deaf?
No, Kevin Grandalski is hearing; no evidence suggests otherwise across biographies or interviews.
Is Marlee Matlin still married in 2026?
Yes, married to Grandalski for 32+ years with no divorce reports as of May 2026.
Are Marlee Matlin's children deaf?
Details are private, but she is the only deaf family member from birth; children show no public deafness mentions.
How did Marlee Matlin meet her husband?
Met on Reasonable Doubts set in 1991; he was security during filming.
Has Marlee Matlin's marriage faced challenges?
She contrasts it positively with past abusive relationship with William Hurt, crediting Grandalski's stability.